How Did Natalie Wood Die?
Natalie Wood died of Accidental drowning on November 29, 1981, at age 43.
What was Natalie Wood's cause of death?
Natalie Wood drowned on November 29, 1981, at age 43. She was on a yacht near Santa Catalina Island with her husband Robert Wagner and actor Christopher Walken. Her body was found floating in the ocean. The death was ruled accidental drowning, but the case was reopened in 2011 and Wagner was named a person of interest in 2012. No charges have been filed.
How old was Natalie Wood when they died?
Natalie Wood was 43 years old at the time of death.
When did Natalie Wood die?
Natalie Wood died on November 29, 1981.
Natalie Wood Biography
Natalie Wood was born on July 20, 1938, in San Francisco, California, to Russian immigrant parents. She began acting as a child and became one of Hollywood's most beloved stars with Rebel Without a Cause and West Side Story. She received three Academy Award nominations and was one of the most bankable stars of the 1950s and 60s.
Personal Life
Who are Natalie Wood's parents?
Nikolai Zakharenko, Maria Zudilov
Was Natalie Wood married?
| Name | Married | Divorced |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Wagner | 1957 | 1962 |
| Richard Gregson | 1969 | 1971 |
| Robert Wagner | 1972 | N/A |
Did Natalie Wood have children?
Natalie Wood had 2 children: Natasha Gregson Wagner, Courtney Wagner.
What religion was Natalie Wood?
Natalie Wood was N/A.
What was Natalie Wood's ethnicity?
Natalie Wood was of American heritage.
Career Highlights
Movies
- Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
- Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
- Splendor in the Grass (1961)
- West Side Story (1961)
- Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)
- Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969)
Awards
- Academy Award nomination (Rebel Without a Cause)
- Academy Award nomination (Splendor in the Grass)
- Academy Award nomination (Love with the Proper Stranger)
- Golden Globe Awards
Facts About Natalie Wood
- She was one of the few child stars to successfully transition to adult roles
- Her death remains controversial — husband Robert Wagner was named a person of interest in 2012
- She had a lifelong fear of dark water, which makes her drowning particularly poignant
- West Side Story is considered one of the greatest film musicals ever made
Natalie Wood Quotes
"Acting is a form of confession."
Legacy
Natalie Wood received three Academy Award nominations and starred in some of Hollywood's most beloved films. West Side Story is considered one of the greatest film musicals ever made. Her mysterious death remains one of Hollywood's most enduring unsolved stories.
Sources
Last verified: 2026-05-20